Ralph Lauren quietly shuttered its two-year-old 20,000-square-foot store last week. Other brands are expected to close boutiques in a city that has lost its luster for cash-rich mainland Chinese tourists.

The Vice President was all smiles chatting with Centre Street shoppers Friday afternoon on Nantucket.

BIDEN’S BLUE FRIDAY: Joe Biden was all smiles chatting with Centre Street shoppers Friday afternoon on Nantucket. Looking very “un-vp” in a navy bomber jacket, khakis and a baseball cap, he was still up for photo ops. When Terry Ventre handed off a camera for a snap of the vice president with her teen daughter Ruby Zolot to Biden’s granddaughter, Secret Service agents intervened. But Biden’s kin insisted on taking the shot and while doing so, the mother led the passersby who had gathered in singing “Happy Birthday” to President Obama’s wingman, who turned 70 days before. Noticing how the presumably blue-stater teenager had flushed red, Biden kissed her twice on the forehead saying, “This is what mothers are supposed to do — embarrass their daughters.”

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@rebeccaminkoff is bringing self-checkout to high fashion: The brand has partnered with @queuehop to bring its customers self-checkout options, beginning this holiday season at its SoHo store. (📷: @aurorarosephoto)